Modern realities vs. Sesquicentennial remembrance

No need to lecture me. I get it. In the big scheme of things, the Sesquicentennial of the American Civil War is hardly on the radar when we consider some bigger issues facing us in these times. Yet, for those like myself, who have been looking forward to this time in our lifetime, for years, the big opening of the Sesquicentennial could be less than what we thought it might be… less than what it could have been… especially if the government shutdown occurs, and the National Parks are closed.

Take for example, the events that are planned to take place in conjunction with the 150th anniversary of the bombardment of Fort Sumter. How many historians, enthusiasts, buffs, or merely the historically curious (if only for a short while) are looking forward to attending these events? Ohhhhh, for that opportunity… that once in a lifetime opportunity… to stand on a spot where a particular event took place, 150 years ago, to the day. Sure, some of us get “that feeling” in our souls, no matter when we get the opportunity to stand on a particular parcel of hallowed ground, but… geez… how often is it on the exact day, or during a major anniversary such as the Sesquicentennial? Whether that “feeling” is all in our heads or not, it’s something that moves us far more than reading about the event can ever come close to.

While there are plenty of folks gearing-up for the events surrounding Sumter’s big day (whether they are planning on being there as tourists or participants in the living history events), local economies will also be impacted by a government shutdown… which will shutdown the NPS. No doubt, many a Charleston business owner was looking forward to the string of days around the anniversary of the bombardment on Ft. Sumter. Even if it was going to be no more than a short-term boom… it’s still an infusion of money into the local economy. Sure, folks will still attend the events, as Ft. Sumter AND Ft. Moultrie aren’t the only places where the anniversary will be recognized. But taking out the two from the remembrance activities is like not being able to add critical seasonings in a fine recipe.

But, you know… it’s not just Sumter and Moultrie that stand to be impacted by, what could be, a week-long… or even two-week government shutdown.

For those, like myself, who can’t make it to Sumter, we look for other events, such as those coming up Baltimore (I can’t get over the pure eye candy in their initial Web page), or Harpers Ferry. Granted, the impact on the two will likely be far less than that experienced in Charleston, but, Baltimore will indeed be impacted, for crimps in plans that include… Ft. McHenry.

Personally, I had planned to travel (and still hope to attend, if the shutdown doesn’t occur, or, hopefully, is only short-term) to Harper’s Ferry to kick-off my opening-of-the-war Sesquicentennial remembrance. I’ve been looking forward to hearing the NPS’s special tours focused on the Virginia militia taking over the arsenal there. Sure, I’ve been to Harper’s Ferry before, and I’ve seen the remains of the old arsenal. But, you know… it’s just that 150th thing. I want to be part of it, and that chance to enjoy what the NPS has to offer at one of our National treasures.

So, how much do you value it? Dig into your own wallet and fund that particular place or event. It would be mean-spirited to expect someone else to hold some third person at gun-point to fund our own favorite things.

In reality, my tax dollars support that, and I’m perfectly fine with that considering these places under the NPS are National treasures. Furthermore, if you are in the know, you will also know that many of these National treasures have private entities that make up the difference where Federal funding is insufficient. I support the NPS through these private entities. Do you?

As a federal worker who faces a possible furlough, I was thinking what I would do on my days “off.” Heading to a few national battlefields around DC came to mind, but then I paused, and remembered that they wouldn’t be open! Thanks for this take on whata disappointing impact a shut down will have on our remembrance of the start of the Civil War. I am hopeful, however, that if and when the shutdown occurs, it may only be for a day or two. Perhaps we’ll be up and running by the 12th after all!

OK, let me be clear. Note that this blog is not a soapbox for political dissent, no matter who you have a beef with… Republican, Democrat, Libertarian, Tea Party… I don’t care; that’s not what this blog is for, nor are the comment fields. If you have a problem with that, you don’t need to be commenting here, period.

This is a blog about the American Civil War, the Shenandoah Valley, and occasionally the western Maryland area of the Cumberland Valley…. not a place for discussion about Arizona politicians.

The shutdown threat is just politics as usual. It happens most often when Congress is split between the two parties, as it is now. There’ve been plenty of these threats, but I don’t believe there’s ever been an actual shutdown.

If you’re talking a complete and total shutdown, no that hasn’t happened before. But yes, there have been partial shutdowns over the failure to pass a budget, in the past; most recently in the mid 90s.

Sad to think the National economic downturn and budjet issues in DC could ruin somethings I have been looking forward too since I was about 12. I was born in the last year of the Centential celebration and remember my family talking about the events at their HS’s , Towns County and around the State.

Visiting Civil War sites is my passion. I cannot fathom a situation in which these critical contributors to our heritage would ever be shut down or abandoned. I hope it never happens. Whenever I visit a site, I always put money in the donation box. It’s a spit in the ocean, I realize, but it’s my small part.